Is the Museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Visitors using wheelchairs or strollers may be dropped off at the East Entrance. Handicapped parking is available in the adjacent east lot on a first-come, first-serve basis. Wheelchairs are available, also on a first-come, first-served basis, at the East Entrance or at the Check rooms.

How do I get tickets for special exhibitions?

To ensure entry at the time and date of your choice, we encourage you to purchase tickets for the special exhibitions in advance online. Members may also reserve their tickets in advance at the Membership Desk at the Museum’s south entrance. Tickets can be purchased at the door when you arrive at the Museum, while supplies last. See ticket price information.

Do you have lockers or storage?

Can I take pictures?

Our visitors are allowed to take pictures for personal use in most places at The Field Museum. However, there are a few places where we cannot allow photography. These places are well-marked with signage.

Can I bring a brown bag lunch?

Yes, our visitors are welcome to bring their own brown bag lunches to The Field Museum. However, you must eat in designated areas in the Siragusa center. Ask a guest relations specialist if you are unclear as to where to eat.

What are the dining options at The Field Museum?

There are two dining options at The Field Museum: the Field Bistro and the Explorer Cafe, both of which feature locally grown or produced products that support the Museum’s educational and sustainable vision.

What are your hours?

Membership

What special benefits do I receive for becoming a Field Museum member?

As a Field Museum member you will receive a variety of benefits as detailed in our membership benefits chart. As it relates to The Field Museum Stores, you will receive a 10% discount on all merchandise purchased.

Can I request specific exhibition tickets?

To place a request for special exhibition tickets, please call (312) 665-7705 or send an email to membership@fieldmuseum.org. Once your ticket request is placed, you will receive a confirmation call or email from a Membership Services representative. Due to the high volume of ticket requests, please allow 2-3 business days for your request to be processed.

Can I transfer my membership?

What are the benefits of Family Membership?

A Family membership provides benefits for free general admission and discounts for two adults and all the children under age 18 who live in your household. If you are a grandparent, the membership covers two adults and all of your grandchildren under age 18. Memberships are annualized from the date you join.

Do members pay for Special Exhibitions?

Members are entitled to a limited amount of free or discounted tickets to special exhibitions. Underground Adventure, Evolving Planet and The Ancient Americas are always free to members. In addition, members have the opportunity to attend free exhibition previews and viewing events throughout the year.

I have a membership. Where can I park?

All visitors to the Museum, members and non-members alike, park in the Soldier Field lot and are subject to parking rates established by the management of the Solider Field Garage. Unfortunately, the Museum cannot validate parking for members. Click here for driving directions, and parking information.

How often may I visit as a member?

Members may visit The Field Museum for an unlimited number of times each year free of general admission fees. We are open every day from 9am to 5pm, except Christmas Day. Last entry for the day is at 4pm. Please note, your membership also entitles you to reciprocal membership and entry to over 200 National Museums. Click here for a list of membership benefits.

What special shopping benefits do I receive for becoming a Field Museum member?

As a Field Museum member you will receive a variety of benefits as detailed in our membership benefits chart. As it relates to The Field Museum Stores, you will receive a 10% discount on all merchandise purchased.

Group Sales

Where can our bus park?

Free parking is available in designated areas west of the Museum at the intersection of Roosevelt and Canal. Parking is also available for a fee at the Adler Planetarium's lot. Motorcoaches cannot stage on Solidarity Drive or the Museum drop-off areas. There is a designated turnaround at the East Entrance.

How and when do I purchase tickets for groups of 15 or more?

Please contact Group Sales. Due to the availability of certain exhibitions, we urge you to book your group as far in advance as possible. Although we can take your booking up until the week prior to your visit, we appreciate at least a month’s notice. We cannot arrange docent tours or food service without at least two weeks notice. All tickets and services are subject to availability.

Will I receive confirmation of my group order?

Within 2-3 days of sending in your reservation form, you will receive a group confirmation along with payment procedures and other group policies. A 50% deposit is due within 2 weeks. Final group numbers and final payment are due 2 weeks prior to visit date. Cancellation with full refund is available if made no later than 2 weeks prior to visit date.

How does our group check in?

All groups should enter through the East Entrance. This entrance provides barrier-free access. Please send a group leader to the Group Sales desk to check in. Tickets are not printed for groups. If you require printed tickets, you must make your request at least 10 days in advance of your visit. A convenience fee will be charged and the tickets will be mailed to you.

Is there a group discount for temporary exhibitions?

Stores

How can I purchase merchandise from the Museum store?

The Museum has four spectacular stores, so you'll want to save ample time to shop. A selection of unique merchandise can be seen on our website, and you can also place orders by phone or mail. Browse online now. Find out more about ordering.

How much will it cost to ship my order?

Standard shipping rates are calculated based on the dollar amount of your order. Additional charges may be required for some items as noted on the product description pages. Express delivery and Next Day Air rates are also additional.

Can I have items shipped internationally?

Do I have to pay sales tax for online purchases?

The Field Museum Online Store can only charge sales tax for orders purchased by persons residing in Illinois or that have their credit card billing address in Illinois. The sales tax on items purchased in Illinois is 10.25%.

Can I send gifts to a different address than my own?

Yes. You may send an individual order to a different shipping address. We cannot ship individual items within one order to multiple addresses. It is best to place each order for each address separately when they need to be delivered to more than one address.

I saw an item in your store when I visited The Field Museum, but I cannot find it online. How can I purchase this item?

Some items from our physical store are not yet included online, but we are continually working to increase the number of products available for purchase online. If you have seen something in our stores that we have not yet included on our site, or if you would like to know if there is any other merchandise related to your interests, please email The Field Museum at store@fieldmuseum.org with your inquiry.

Can my event be the only one on at The Field Museum?

Yes, we do offer full Museum usage based on needs and availability. You should talk to an Account Manager about this option. Please keep in mind that The Field Museum often has events occurring simultaneously on any given evening and takes all the necessary steps to keep each event private including separate entrances, security and support staff.

Do you offer group discounts for package events?

Special Events customizes each event based on the client’s needs. For clients looking for a more packaged option, our Group Sales department offers an After Hours experience that includes private viewing of an exhibition and cocktail reception. This experience works well for groups of 50 or more guests.

Can I bring my own entertainment to my event?

Yes, but The Field Museum does reserves the right to approve or disapprove any entertainment offered at a special event to ensure that the nature of the gathering is consistent with The Field Museum’s mission. We also require all entertainment to supply us with proof of liability insurance. The name and type of entertainment must be provided to the Special Events Account Manager two weeks in advance of the event.

When can events begin?

The Museum is open to the public everyday from 9:00 am-5:00pm. Depending on the event space, we can begin evening events as early as 6:00 pm with set-up on the floor beginning at 3:00 pm. Some of our event spaces are available during the day including our meeting facilities like James Simpson Theatre. Please contact an Account Manager to discuss your specific needs.

Why do you have specific service providers and vendors for my event?

To ensure the success of your event, The Field Museum has partnered with exclusive caterers, floral/décor providers, a lighting and audiovisual provider and other service providers, who are all trained in the policies and procedures of the Museum. All of our partners are fully licensed by the city and state and have provided certificates of insurance. Each partner is completely invested in creating the best event for the client and Museum.

What is your pricing structure?

Although we do have base fees, every single event is unique and thus we customize our usage fees based on the specific function space(s) being utilized and the amount of time needed. Please contact an Account Manager to discuss your needs. We do offer not-for-profit discounts on our usage fees.

Library and Archives

I have an object or photograph from the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. Can the Library or Archives help me identify it?

The Field Museum Library does not maintain a significant collection of materials regarding the collectibles from the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. Please see this page if you are interested in making an appointment to visit the Library.

How do I use the Library?

The public may visit the Library Reading Room between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Please check our online catalog to begin your research and view the library's holdings. Appointments are required for utilizing Library collections. To make an appointment to use the Library's collections, please send an email to: reflib@fieldmuseum.org or call the reference desk at 312-665-7887 between 1-4pm, Tuesday-Friday.

Meteorites

I think I've found a meteorite. What do I do?

Birds

What should I do if I find a dead bird?

We accept salvaged specimens--that is, any dead birds that you find--and turn them into scientific specimens for research purposes. If you find a dead bird that you would like to donate, put it in a ziploc bag and store it in a freezer with a note that includes information on where the bird was found, the date it was found, and your name. Then send a message to the Bird Division to arrange a time to drop the specimen off at The Field Museum.